Management
The Advanced Metal 3D Printing Center houses a powder bed fusion 3D Systems DMP Flex 350 Metal Printer. It is available for use by the campus and external communities.
Acquisition of the printer by the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) was provided by the generosity of Michigan Tech MAE alumni, which included a discount on the system from full service supplier Scarlett Inc. The owner of Scarlett Inc, Jim Scarlett, is a mechanical engineering technology alumnus. Scarlett Inc. assists with equipment set up, staff training, and follow up support.
Michigan Tech University 3D Printer Showcase from Scarlett Machinery
The printer is located in the Materials and Minerals Engineering Building room 117 and is operated by staff in MAE and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). MSE is engaged in alloy research, and staff engineer Russ Stein has been involved in metal 3D printing for about six years. Research engineer Jacob Lundin has extensive experience in manufacturing for industry, including ten years utilizing and designing FDM machines since early on in start of the RepRap movement.
The center is located near several other 3D polymer printers, which are managed by the Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (MMET). Both metal additive manufacturing along with polymer additive processes are industry 4.0 topics included in several of Michigan Tech’s online graduate certificates and in curricula.
MAE, MSE, and MMET are part of the College of Engineering at Michigan Tech.
Staff Services
Facility staff are trained to use the 3D Systems DMP Flex 350 Metal Printer and accept print project requests from clients.
Staff provide consulting services in order to help optimize the printing process.
Staff do not train users, as all printing operations are carried out by staff.
Staff operating the printer do not perform post-processing work on parts. If post processing is needed, it will be discussed during consultation and applicable charges/fees will apply separately.
See Policy for more information about requesting a metal 3D print project.